4of4Texas Sen. John Whitmire (D-Harris) sits in court waiting for the hearing on which the attorney of Shannon Miles will ask the judge to halt the expedited transfer of Miles to a psychiatric facility that had been arranged by the senator. Monday, March 8, 2016 in Houston. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle)Photo: Marie D. De Jesus Marie De Jesus, Staff

Long-time State Senator John Whitmire, 68, is facing two talented challengers in the March 6 Democratic primary, but we endorse him for re-election because his experience and political skills will be needed as recovery from Hurricane Harvey continues.

State storm aid has been hard enough to come by even with him in Austin. We can only imagine how it would be without him and his 44 years in the state legislature, the last 35 in the senate.He is the dean of that body, has a deep knowledge of how it works and a rare ability in these polarized times to bridge political differences to get things done.

Despite big Republican majorities in the state Legislature, Whitmire has been able to reach across the aisle, build coalitions, negotiate compromises and pass legislation such as the Sandra Bland Act which addressed issues in the controversial July 2015 arrest, jailing and suicide of Bland in Waller County.

He told us he expects all his skills to be tested in the next legislative session when tax-and-spending averse Republicans are confronted by the financial demands of Hurricane Harvey recovery.

Like almost everyone, he supports construction of a third reservoir upstream from Houston to contain future floods, but warns "it's so developed out there it's going to be difficult to find the green space to build one."

Of his two opponents, we were particularly impressed by Damian Lacroix, 43, a lawyer who offers a vision of a Texas Democratic Party that fights for its ideals and tries to heighten the contrast with Republicans rather than working behind the scenes for smaller and smaller gains.

"Being a state senator is more than just passing legislation and regulation," Lacroix told the editorial board. "It is also being able to galvanize people and getting a message out to people, bringing them into the fold."

Also running is Hank Segelke, a charming lawyer who now works in the coffee business.

Both are the kind of smart, well-intended candidates that give Democrats hope for the future, but there's no reason to lose Whitmire's experience and institutional knowledge.